I want to ask about the dental x-ray dose compared to the other x-rays.

Radiation doses: Dental x-rays carry a much smaller radiation dosage than conventional medical x-rays. Intraoral x-rays such as periapical and bitewing x-rays carry a very small dose. Even extraoral x-rays such as panoramic and cephalogram or orthodontic x-rays, carry a smaller dose than medical x-rays. Digital x-rays use a smaller dose than conventional film x-rays. Plus, a lead shield will protect you.

Way low in contrast: Each dental (bitewing) exposure is rated as low as .5 mrem - one of the very lowest rankings. Cardiac x-ray is the highest 2000 mrem - head, abdomem, spine & full body are 1000 mrem. Here's the chart: http://www.Ans.Org/pi/resources/dosechart/ discuss concerns with your dentist, but it is not as dangerous as you might have thought.

Low Dose X-Rays: There are two types of x-rays commonly in use in dental practice, the photographic emulsion film, and the digital x-ray sensor. Photographic film is already very low dosage, and should not worry you, it has served us all for many years. The digital systems can reduce the dosage by as much as 80-90 % and can give very good images. X-rays are safe and valuable diagnostic tools, i like digital.

No comparison!: It is almost pointless to compare a modern digital dental "check-up" radiographs to any other medical radiographs. With a chest x-ray possibly a 1000 times the dosage of a single dental film, i find that most questions about "x-rays" in my office are really about cost and not about safety!

Small dose: Dental X-ray exams are safe; they do require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small. Leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen. Leaded thyroid collar can protect thyroid from radiation, and should also be used whenever possible. Average effective dose varies from 2-14 uSv.CT of chest is 7 mSV. CT is approximately 1000 times dose